Video After The Jump
VALDOSTA – A 46-year-old Black man has sued the city police department claiming excessive force in a Feb. 8 incident where he was mistaken for a suspect in a panhandling investigation. His attorney is calling the incident a civil rights violation.
The city said Monday it is reviewing the incident and has posted body camera video along with a statement on social media.
Attorney Nathaniel Haugabrook of Copeland, Haugabrook and Walker said officers injured his client, Antonio Arnelo Smith, and violated his rights after they mistook him for a suspect.
The lawsuit was filed Friday afternoon in federal court and names Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson, members of the Valdosta City Council, Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan, three Valdosta patrolmen and one police sergeant as defendants.
The lawsuit demands a jury trial.
The suit states: “Defendants’ actions, omissions and deliberate indifference to violations of clearly established constitutional rights caused Mr. Smith to suffer physical, mental and emotional injuries.”
Haugabrook contends Smith’s arm was broken during the interaction with the police and Smith has had to endure physical therapy because of it.
Smith is asking for compensation and punitive damages in the amount of $700,000, according to the lawsuit.
Source: Valdosta Daily Times
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